Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said lower GST rates mean more savings for every household and greater ease for businesses. He said the reforms will benefit every section of society, be it farmers,
women, youth, poor, middle class, traders or MSMEs.
“An important feature of the next-generation GST reforms is that there will mainly be two slabs of 5% and 18%. Daily essentials such as food, medicines, soap, toothpaste, insurance and many more items will now either be tax-free or fall in the lowest 5% tax slab. Goods that were earlier taxed at 12% have almost entirely shifted to 5%,” PM Modi said in an open letter to citizens on GST reforms on September 22, shared on X.
This festive season, let’s celebrate the ‘GST Bachat Utsav’! Lower GST rates mean more savings for every household and greater ease for businesses. pic.twitter.com/QOUGWXrC3d
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2025
India’s major tax overhaul, dubbed GST 2.0, has come into effect today, September 22. The new regime brings a simplified two-rate structure, lower levies on a wide range of products, and measures to ease compliance.
“These reforms will boost savings and directly benefit every section of society, be it farmers, women, youth, poor, middle class, traders or MSMEs,” the prime minister added.
Also Read: GST 2.0 Kicks In Today: Lower Taxes, 2-Rate Tax System, Easier Compliance, All You Need To Know
He added that it is greatly heartening to see various shopkeepers and traders putting up ‘then and now’ boards which indicate taxes pre-reforms and post-reforms.
“In the last few years, 25 crore people have risen above poverty and formed an aspirational neo-middle class. Further, we have also strengthened the hands of our middle class with the massive income tax cuts, which ensure zero tax up to the annual income of Rs 12 lakh,” the PM said.
Reiterating the swadeshi pitch, the prime minister urged shopkeepers and traders to sell made-in-India products.
“I appeal to our shopkeepers and traders to sell products that are Made in India. Let us proudly say – what we buy is Swadeshi. Let us proudly say – what we sell is Swadeshi,” he said.
In another post on X, the prime minister highlighted the sweeping and upbeat coverage given in newspapers to the reduced GST rates to underscore the nationwide buzz it has created.
From markets to households, GST Bachat Utsav brings a festive buzz, ensuring lower costs and brighter smiles in every home! pic.twitter.com/hW9ebIw3Ri
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2025
“From markets to households, GST Bachat Utsav brings a festive buzz, ensuring lower costs and brighter smiles in every home,” Modi said on X, posting pictures of the front page of leading Hindi and English dailies.
